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NDI pleads lifting emergency to allow political activities as soon as possible
Dhaka, Nov 19, 2008 (Asia Pulse Data Source via COMTEX) --
The National Democratic Institute (NDI) Wednesday said the state of emergency should be lifted so political activities can begin as soon as possible ahead of the elections in Bangladesh.
The Washington-based watchdog also said military should not have any intervention in political process and deployment of police or military personnel in polling-stations on the election-day.
A delegation of NDI made the remarks at a press conference at Hotel Westin after assessing the pre-election atmosphere here ahead of the parliamentary polls, scheduled after passing through turmoil in the country?s political arena.
Sam Gejdenson, former US Congressman and current NDI board member who is leading the delegation, said military should accept its proper role in democratic society and refrain from intervening in the political and electoral process.
Other members of the team--Saumura Tioulong, member of the national assembly of Cambodia, Peter Manikas, senior associate and regional director for NDI's Asia programs, and Jacqueline Corcoran, NDI/Bangladesh senior resident director--were present.
As a standoff still persisted, the multinational democracy watchdog asked the caretaker government to ensure the broader participation in the upcoming election through negotiations.
Asked about BNP?s demand for rescheduling the election date, Sam Gejdenson hoped the government and political parties could resolve any outstanding issues so that the election is as inclusive as possible.
NDI made its 15-point recommendations for the Election Commission, the caretaker government, political parties, civil society and military for holding free, fair and credible elections.
It urged the election commission to amend its domestic election-monitoring guidelines to ensure the independence of monitors and not permit political parties to veto monitoring organizations or individuals without hearing.
The Institute recommended to the EC for reviewing campaign-finance limitation, shutting down mobile- phone networks and ensuring minority groups? right on the basis of consultations.
NDI urged political parties to support several of the reforms adopted by the caretaker government, including reforms of the Public Service Commission, anti-corruption efforts and securing judicial independence.
?Political parties should agree to end hartals and use their elected roles in parliament,? it said, in an apparent flashback on the past scenarios that led to the January 2007 crisis and changeover.
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